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Siamese Fighting Fish

 

Family Name: Belontiidae

Scientific Name: Betta Splendens

Origin: Thailand

Maximum Adult Size: Around 3 Inches

Temperament: Mostly Peaceful. Sometimes Nips Fins. Males Are Highly Agressive Towards Each Other However And Shouldn't Be Kept Together. Males Should Only Be Placed With Females While Breeding Or If Given Plenty Of Room Cover And Supervision. Females Are Generally Peaceful With Each Other But Caution Is Advised

Time Active: Diurnal

Ideal P.H: 6 - 8

Ideal Temp: 24°c - 27°c

Ideal Salinity: Freshwater

Diet: Carnivore. Flake, Livefoods, Frozen.

Tank Region: Top Dweller

Gender Differences: Males Generally Have More Elaborate Finnage Than Females As Well As More Vivid Colouring.

Breeding: Easy To Medium.

Lifespan: Around 3 Years

Ideal Tankmates: Peaceful Species Who Aren't Fin Nippers And Without Long Fins

Notes: Siamese fighters are labyrinth fish, meaning they have an organ similar to a lung as well as gills. This allows them to breath from the surface as well as through dissolved oxygen in the water. Therefore they should always be kept in tanks that have plenty of air under the coverglass or otherwise they can, and will, drown. Siamese fighting fish are bubblenest builders and should be kept in tanks with low currents to avoid destruction of the nest. They also find it difficult to swim in tanks with high water movement due to the size of their fins. Breeding can be accomplished by conditioning the fish with livefoods while keeping the male and female seperated but in sight of one another (either in two seperate tanks or with a tank divider) until the male begins to build his bubblenest. No substrate should be used in the male's tank and there should be plenty of cover with java moss, fake plants, etc. Upon completion of the nest, the female should be moved in with the male, who will chase her around until she tires. The male will wrap himself around the female and squeeze her until she releases eggs which he fertilises before placing them in the nest. This process is continued until the female is emptied of eggs, at which time she should be removed. Once the eggs hatch the male should also be removed to prevent him eating the fry. The fry are extremely small when they hatch so should be fed equally small foods such as insuforia or microworms. As the fry grow large enough to sex the males should be seperated and kept alone to prevent fighting.



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